The Internecine Project (1974)

James Coburn is a slick white collar heavy in this twisty thriller, scripted by future directors Barry Levinson ("Rain Man"), who also produced, and Jonathan Lynn ("Clue"). Coburn again projects incredible cool as Robert Elliot, a "professor" who has a major opportunity for advancement in the government. The catch is, he can't afford to have anybody alive who's got knowledge of his past. There are four of these people, and Elliot arranges for all of them to kill each other over the course of a single night. Despite his intricate planning, things don't always go that smoothly.The excellent cast is the major draw of this film, capably directed by Ken Hughes ("Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"). It's very well paced and sometimes reasonably suspenseful, with a story that might not stand up to a lot of scrutiny, but does solidly entertain for its duration. Another asset is the eclectic soundtrack composed by Roy Budd ("Get Carter" '71).Coburn is fun to watch in the role of an anti-hero, a man who initially is taken aback at the idea of eliminating these skeletons in his closet, but quickly makes up his mind to be cold-blooded about the whole affair. Lee Grant is fine (and looks very nice, to boot) as the aggressive, feminist journalist with whom he was once involved. Ian Hendry is wonderfully antsy as the diabetic Alex, Christiane Kruger is delectably sexy as Christina, Julian Glover has a good, brief role as a TV host, and Keenan Wynn is endlessly amusing as usual as tycoon E.J. Farnsworth. But the shining star of the production is Harry Andrews as a masseur named Bert Parsons. The character is an angry misogynist, and the viewer may be intrigued and wonder just how this character came to be this way.Overall, good entertainment. Nothing special, but there are much worse ways to spend an hour and a half.Seven out of 10.

Shrewd and unscrupulous former secret agent Prof. Robert Elliot (a marvelously ruthless portrayal by the always commanding and charismatic James Coburn) gets a chance to become a top adviser to the President of the United States. However, Elliot must devise a plan to eliminate four people who know about his shady past in order to achieve this goal. Capably directed by Ken Hughes, with a gripping and ingenious script by Barry Levinson and Jonathan Lynn, a steady pace, lively cinematography by Geoffrey Unsworth, a gritty, serious, no-nonsense tone, a robust and rousing score by Roy Budd, a substantial amount of tension, several startling moments of savage violence (a shower murder set piece is especially harsh and shocking), a tough and cynical central theme about the vicious extremes some people will resort to so they can acquire true power, and a real corker of a surprise ending, this unjustly overlooked item sizes up as one extremely effective and engrossing affair. The first-rate cast helps matters a whole lot: Lee Grant as pesky reporter Jean Robertson, Harry Andrews as brutish misogynist Albert Parsons, Ian Hendry as the antsy and squeamish Alex Hellman, Michael Jayston as the reluctant David Baker, Christiane Kruger as the sultry Christina Larsson, and Keenan Wynn as evil businessman E.J. Farnsworth. Moreover, the cold stream-lined efficiency of Elliot's brilliantly diabolical scheme gives this picture an extra potent and chilling edge. Recommended viewing.

The movie begins (and ends) like a political movie,a la Pakula .But if the "hero" is blamed for butchering democracy ,the essential is a thriller ,some very special "domino theory" .To get rid of some people who become embarrassing,the professor (a spy) ,pushes the "divide and rule" concept to its absolute limits and ,although completely implausible (all works out much too well) , displays an implacable logic in his sinister plans.Probably not great,but not derivative,and rather gripping.Main objection: Lee Grant's character is almost useless and her would be feminist journalist is only decorative.

I'm amazed that THE INTERNECINE PROJECT has received less than 100 votes . I saw it a couple of times in the early 1980s and despite not seeing it for almost 25 years it's still lodged in my mind as being a clever thriller . Perhaps I shall never watch it in case it's not as good as I remember . The plot centres around former secret agent Robert Elliot ( Played suavely by James Coburn in one of his best roles) gaining a White House promotion , just the first step in a long and successful political career . There's just one thing and that is there's several people who know about Elliot's past and Elliot can't allow his dirty secrets to be revealed by anyone I won't reveal the plot but it's smart and there's a twist at the end . But for me the best part of the movie is where Elliot visits the home of military veteran Albert Parsons played by Harry Andrews . Parsons and his collection of cats warmly greet Elliot , but it's obvious by his mannerism that Elliot has something on his mind : " We've got a problem " " A problem sir ? " asks Parsons " It's to do with a woman " Parsons is shocked " A WOMAN SIR ? " Elliot rubs his chin and studies Albert " She's a sort of high class whore " By now Parsons is having convulsions and spitting his hatred " THEY'RE ALL WHORES THE WHOLE LOT OF THEM , YOU CAN'T TRUST ANY THEM SIR , NOT ANY OF THEM " Hmmm I wonder if Albert Parsons is a repressed homosexual ?